Nigel Owens has backed Matthew Carley's decision not to card Ardie Savea for his tackle on Jasper Wiese, but he's been direct about how close it was. Speaking on World Rugby's Whistle Watch, Owens explained that the critical factor was where initial contact landed — on Wiese's shoulder, not his head or neck — with the subsequent head contact resulting from a whiplash effect caused by the force of the tackle rather than a direct strike. Since Wiese didn't dip or take a late step into contact, no mitigation would have applied had Savea been fractionally higher, meaning a 20-minute red and a ban would have followed. Owens also acknowledged the TMO was right to flag it, saying it looked high in real time. The bottom line: Carley got the call right, Savea got lucky, and the incident illustrates exactly how fine the margin is between a legal upright tackle and a red-card offence.
Owens: Savea dodged a red card by a fraction at Ellis Park
Nigel Owens backs Carley's no-card call on Savea's tackle on Wiese, but says an inch higher and it's a 20-minute red — the whiplash effect, not direct head contact, was the deciding factor.
Erasmus shuts door on Hanekom at eight — but opens the bench
Erasmus was uncharacteristically blunt: Wiese owns the eight jersey and Hanekom's standout Argentina display changes nothing at the top of the pecking order — though it may well have secured him a bench role for the All Blacks series.
Wiese and Kwagga Smith set for Japan Rugby League One showdown
Jasper Wiese and Kwagga Smith are set to go head-to-head as Japan Rugby League One reaches a potentially decisive point in its regular season. The two Springbok team-mates will find themselves on opposing sides in what promises to be a notable club clash.
In Rassie We Trust — and the Squad Depth to Back It Up
Rich argues the Barbarians game confirmed Springbok depth rather than exposed weakness, defends Erasmus's Van der Mescht omission as data-driven rather than arbitrary, and makes the case that — after everything Rassie has delivered — his selection calls deserve trust rather than social-media-driven second-guessing.
Augustus still in Springboks' plans despite Nations Championship absence
Rassie Erasmus confirms Juarno Augustus remains in Springbok plans but is currently injured and unavailable for the Nations Championship, with the Ulster back-rower still awaiting a first Test cap.
Why Erasmus chose Norton over Van der Mescht — and what it reveals about Bok lock priorities
Erasmus explains the Norton-over-Van der Mescht call as a tactical fit decision rather than a quality judgment — the piece breaks down the Bok lock crisis and how the coaching staff are navigating it.